"You're going to be late to school TK. Hurry up and finish your breakfast." Nancy Takashi called out from the other room.
TK Takashi was doing just that in the kitchen. Clad in green shorts, and yellow and green shirt, he sat by the counter, pushing his utensil around but not eating. New school, new apartment, but same old lumpy oatmeal. He forced the lumpy mess down, let out a small sigh, and put the bowl in the sink. TK walked into the living room, picking up his black backpack and treasured white hat. As he passed by his mothers study, he put on a smile and said "I'm done mom. I'm leaving."
She apologetically responded, "Sorry I can't drive you to school on your first day, but I have to write this article before the deadline. It's all about the historical significance of toilet paper. Hmm…" As TK walked past, he could hear her writing aloud, "-progress from this agricultural revolution was not only supported, but made possible with the advent of toilet paper."
"It's ok, I'll walk. See you later." He knew his mom, being a divorced single mother, had to work hard to support him, so he shrugged it off and thought of the walk as exercise. TK walked out of the new apartment they had just moved into not a week ago. He locked the door and carefully slid the keys into his pocket. He paused for a moment and mused on the fact that the lock of the door still made unfamiliar sounds. There he stood, a small boy, in a huge apartment complex, in an even more enormous city. He walked up to and peered over the balcony onto the busy streets 8 floors below, before turning towards the elevator. During the wait, the sounds of the city slowly drifted to the background, with the elevator's arrival and their occupants occupying the forefront of attention.
There were 2 kids approximately the same age as TK. Might as well start it off now. "How's it going", TK asked.
One of the kids was a girl, dressed head to toe in pink. The pink was well complimented by her purple hair and blue bandana, making her thin frame glasses the last thing TK noticed. "Fine, thank you." She replied.
"Great, my name's TK and my mom and I just moved into this building. I'm in 7th grade, class A, nice to meet you."
"Oh hi, my name is Yolei. Would you like to walk to school with us? It takes exactly 12.3 minutes and that's if there's no wind. It'll be fun. And Oh, this is Cody." She glanced at the boy beside her. He was in a light purple sweater and about a foot shorter than Yolei.
He smiled and offered "Welcome to the building TK. Come on, we don't want to be late on our first day. "
"Let's do it."
The walk was about 2 miles, and on the way, Yolei and Cody had tried to get to know their new neighbor better.
"My mom writes for museums, newspapers, speeches. It's kind of a freelance job." TK explained.
"Oh, well my parents own a convenience store and I occasionally work there and help out." Yolei replied. "Oh I know!, you should totally come by after, and I can get you the super awesome friends and family discount on day old bread!"
TK was puzzled, but kept his face straight and cautiously agreed. "That sounds… good. You'll have to show me sometime."
Cody was much quieter than Yolei. But he had still offered friendship. "I live with my mother and grandfather on the south side of town. We have a kendo studio, and my grandfather is the master."
The trio went on exchanging tidbits about themselves for the 30 minute walk. They finally got to Odaiba Junior High. It had a large gated entrance, which was currently open, and students were slowly trickling in. It had solid walls mixed with iron gates as its perimeter, and a few large buildings lining the main path.
"Well, Cody and I are in 6-D to start, but I'm sure we'll see you later." Said Yolei. She had stopped and was pointing towards a white building to her left. "5-A is going to be the main building down the path." Now Yolei was pointed out the building directly at the end of the main entrance.
"It was nice to meet you." Cody bowed.
"We'll catch up later." TK smiled.
The pair walked away from TK, and began their own conversation.
"Hey Yolei, can you come over after school and fix my computer again?"
"Only if your mom makes those brownies I love."
"I'll send an email and ask her if she'll make a batch right away. "
"It's a deal, perfecto!"
TK began walking towards the building Yolei had pointed out when a glare caught his eye. He turned to the right to see a field where a group of kids were playing soccer.
Tai? he thought. I'm seeing things.
"Here you go Davis!" A soccer ball shot over Davis' head and headed towards TK. He caught it, and the purple haired soccer player ran up to hm.
"Thanks, great catch." A moment of silence passes, and they look at each other as if trying to figure the other out.
"You look familiar. " TK said, returning the ball. "Must be the goggles."
"Hey Davis, you're holding up the game." A voice shouted from the group. Davis nodded towards TK and kicked the ball towards the group and rejoined the game.
What am I thinking? That can't be Tai. He's a much better soccer player than that kid.
The bell rang and students got settled in class 5-A. Davis made his way towards a girl with brown hair and pink and white ensemble. "Alright, what luck! You're in my class again Kari!" he exclaimed.
Kari turned and gave a little smile. "I wouldn't call that luck." There are only two classes worth of students in this school.
"Hey the weirdest thing just happened; this new kid said I reminded him of someone. Probably thinks I'm a movie star."
Kari was about to respond when the door opened and a teacher walked in. "Settle down everybody. I know you're all excited to be here." The class did settle down and got into their seats.
"I'm Mr. Hamasaki, I'll be your teacher, and I'd like you all to welcome a new student." The door opened again, and in steps TK.
Davis who was already looking bored, perked up. Whoa, it's that kid.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm TK." He greeted.
Mr. Hamasaki looked around for an open desk. "Please take a seat next to the girl with the… camera around her neck."
TK scanned the room. What kind of description was that? It's not that obvious who has a camera around their neck. A color cue would have been bet- His thoughts stopped as he saw the face of the girl with the camera around her neck, Kari Kamiya.